"ARD journalist astounded by tour of "the costliest school globally""
Le Rosey, a prestigious boarding school located in Gstaad, Switzerland, offers a unique blend of luxury, academics, and extracurricular activities for its diverse student body. With students hailing from over 70 countries, the school fosters a strong sense of community and international understanding.
Everyday life at Le Rosey revolves around its two campuses: one in Rolle, by Lake Geneva, and another in the winter at the ski resort of Gstaad. The school's facilities are luxurious, boasting boarding houses, music rooms, science labs, student lounges, cafés, and extensive sports facilities.
The academic curriculum is rigorous, with students following bilingual programmes in French and English, leading to either the International Baccalaureate or French Baccalaureate. Alongside academics, students engage in various extracurricular activities such as building rovers, playing in the school's own orchestra, and even sending a satellite into space. This comprehensive approach is designed to build resilience, discipline, teamwork, and intellectual curiosity.
Sports play a significant role at Le Rosey, with daily mandatory training and skiing being compulsory during the winter months. Evenings are strictly scheduled, with students required to be back in their boarding houses by 8 PM and studying until 9:30 PM.
Despite its elite status, Le Rosey values friendship, solidarity, respect, intelligent discipline, and courage. Students are encouraged to shape their own learning and embrace challenges, building character and independence. The school's director, Christophe Gaudin, explains that they ensure that students understand that everything they learn at Le Rosey is a privilege.
The tuition for a year at Le Rosey exceeds €160,000, providing students with multiple buffet meals and high-end amenities. However, opinions about the value versus cost vary among alumni, with the school's reputation and network remaining prestigious.
The school's reputation will be further explored in the upcoming report "Y-Kollektiv: The Most Expensive School in the World," airing on ARD on Tuesday, August 12, at 10:55 PM. Until then, Le Rosey continues to shape the lives of its students, providing them with an extraordinary blend of elite academic rigor, international cultural exposure, high-end comfort, and a strong community ethos focused on developing well-rounded global citizens prepared for future success.
For the Roséens, life at Le Rosey is a unique journey that combines the luxury of a world-class boarding school with the challenges and rewards of a rigorous academic and extracurricular programme. Andras, a 15-year-old student, feels the pressure to perform well, but he also cherishes the friendships and experiences that Le Rosey offers. Despite the high cost, many students come from wealthy families where Le Rosey is their only chance to be "normal." Designer handbags and expensive jewelry are rarely seen at Le Rosey, a testament to the school's focus on community values and academic excellence.
Financing a year at Le Rosey is a significant investment, surpassing €160,000, but its reputation and network remain prestigious among alumni. In this luxury boarding school, education and self-development go hand in hand with lifestyle, as students partake in rigorous academic programs, engage in various extracurricular activities, and cultivate a strong sense of community. Through this unique combination, Le Rosey aims to mold students into well-rounded global citizens prepared for future success while fostering values such as friendship, solidarity, respect, intelligent discipline, and courage.
